These Vegan BetterFingers are a healthier, no-bake twist on classic Butterfingers, made with a crispy peanut butter center and a smooth dark chocolate coating. They require just four main ingredients and are perfect for an easy homemade candy bar treat.
Vegan Butterfingers are the kind of homemade chocolate candy bar that brings together everything people love about a nostalgic treat: crunch, peanut butter, sweetness, and a rich chocolate shell. If you grew up enjoying candy bars with crispy layers and a satisfying bite, this recipe is a simple way to recreate that experience with a shorter ingredient list and a no-bake method.
The best part is how easy these bars are to make. There is no oven required, no complicated candy thermometer, and no long list of hard-to-find ingredients. The crispy peanut butter filling is made in a food processor, pressed into a pan, chilled until firm, sliced into bars, and then coated in melted chocolate. The result is a crunchy, sweet, peanut buttery bar that feels fun and indulgent while still being made with simple plant-based ingredients.
These homemade vegan Butterfingers are especially convenient for last-minute dessert prep, Halloween treats, lunchbox sweets, or freezer-friendly snacks. Because they are stored chilled, they keep their crisp texture and are easy to grab whenever a chocolate craving hits. If you love peanut butter chocolate bars, crispy cereal treats, or easy vegan desserts, this recipe is a must-try.
Ingredients to Make Vegan Butterfingers
Traditional candy bars often rely on long ingredient lists, but these vegan Butterfingers use just a few simple ingredients to create a crunchy, chocolate-covered peanut butter treat. Here is what you need:
- Crispy cereal: Crispy rice cereal works especially well for no-bake candy bars because it stays light and crunchy. Corn flakes, wheat bran cereal, or cheerios can also be used. Avoid puffed cereal, as it can become soft and soggy once mixed with the syrup and peanut butter.
- Rice malt syrup: Rice malt syrup helps bind the filling and gives the bars their chewy-crispy texture. Maple syrup can be used as a substitute, but because it is thinner, you may need to add more cereal if the mixture feels too wet or sticky.
- Natural peanut butter: Smooth natural peanut butter gives these bars their rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture. Use a peanut butter that is well stirred so it blends evenly with the cereal and syrup.
- Dark chocolate: Dark chocolate creates a smooth coating and balances the sweetness of the peanut butter filling. Semi-sweet chocolate can also work if you prefer a slightly sweeter candy bar.
- Salt: A small amount of salt enhances the peanut butter flavor and balances the sweetness.
How to Make Vegan Butterfingers
These vegan Butterfingers are simple, quick, and beginner-friendly. Start by adding most of the crispy cereal to a food processor and pulsing until it breaks down into smaller pieces. This helps create the signature crispy interior while still allowing the bars to hold together.
Next, add the rice malt syrup, peanut butter, and salt. Blend until the mixture is mostly combined, then add the remaining cereal and pulse briefly. Leaving some cereal less processed gives the bars extra crunch and a better texture.
Once the mixture is ready, press it firmly into a parchment-lined 6×6 inch baking tray. Freezing the mixture briefly makes it easier to slice into clean bars. After cutting, return the pieces to the freezer so they stay firm while you melt the chocolate. Finally, dip or coat each peanut butter bar in melted dark chocolate and chill until set.
How to Store Healthy Vegan Butterfingers
These healthy vegan Butterfingers are best stored in the freezer. Keeping them frozen helps preserve the crispy texture and prevents the chocolate coating from softening too much. Place the bars in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper if needed. They can be stored for up to two weeks, although they are likely to disappear much sooner.
You can also keep them in the refrigerator for a slightly softer bite, but the freezer gives the best candy-bar texture. Let them sit at room temperature for a minute or two before eating if you prefer a less firm chocolate coating.
These vegan Butterfingers are a delicious homemade alternative to classic crispy peanut butter chocolate bars. They are no-bake, freezer-friendly, and made with simple ingredients while still delivering that sweet, crunchy, chocolate-coated flavor you want from a candy bar.
More Delicious Healthy Chocolate Bars to Try
- Browned Butter Twix Bars
- No-Bake Chunky Monkey Twix Bars
- Chocolate Covered Stuffed Dates
- Chocolate Covered Caramel Bites
If you make this Vegan BetterFingers recipe, leave a comment and rating to share how it turned out. These bars are a fun treat for peanut butter lovers, chocolate fans, and anyone looking for an easy vegan no-bake dessert.
Vegan Butterfingers
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- Author: Lisa Kitahara
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars
Description
These Vegan BetterFingers are a healthier take on classic Butterfingers, featuring a crispy peanut butter filling covered in rich dark chocolate. They are no-bake, plant-based, and made with simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups crispy cereal, such as rice crisps, corn flakes, cheerios, or wheat bran cereal (80g)
- 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon smooth natural peanut butter (135g)
- 1/4 cup rice malt syrup (80g)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 ounces dark chocolate (84g)
Instructions
- Add 2 cups of the crispy cereal to a food processor and pulse until the cereal is broken down into small pieces. Add the rice malt syrup, peanut butter, and salt, then blend until the mixture is almost combined. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of cereal and pulse just until incorporated.
- Press the mixture firmly into a parchment-lined 6×6 inch baking tray. Place the tray in the freezer for 15 minutes, then remove and cut into your desired pieces. For 12 bars, slice the mixture into 12 even portions. Return the bars to the freezer while you prepare the chocolate.
- Melt the dark chocolate in the microwave until smooth, stirring as needed. Remove the peanut butter bars from the freezer and dip or coat each piece in melted chocolate. Place the bars on a wire rack or parchment-lined tray, then chill in the refrigerator or freezer until the chocolate is set.
Notes
- Maple syrup can be used instead of rice malt syrup, but it is thinner. If the mixture becomes too wet or sticky, add more cereal 1/4 cup at a time until it holds together.
- Nutritional information is a rough estimate calculated using an online tool.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Food Processor
- Cuisine: North American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12 bars
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 97mg
- Fat: 9.6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.4g
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1.4g
- Protein: 3.5g
- Cholesterol: 0
SAVE IT FOR LATER! ↓
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